"Madam Mallory, this isn't Mallory Manor. If you've got something to say, just spit it out. I'm not interested in hearing you beat about the bush," replied Luca in a cold voice.

A wave of anger roused within Karen. What kind of attitude was this?

Did she think she was all that just because she had Luke supporting her?

The thought of Luke made Karen even more enraged. Why was it that people and things associated with this name always seemed to be exceptionally difficult to deal with?

"I have something to discuss with you!" When Karen saw that Luca was about to leave the restroom, she thought if she did not sort things out here, she would not have the chance to do so later.

She did not want anyone to see her begging Luca.

Even if Percy might help her if he knew about it, she did not want him to witness this scene. It was too embarrassing.

Luca paused for a moment, unable to imagine what Karen wanted to talk to her about.

Could it be about what happened with Nina before? However, she only let Nina into her house. In the eyes of outsiders, Nina was taken in by Luke, not her. It had nothing to do with her.

Plus, even if she did take Nina in, what difference did it make? Now that Percy was back, if Karen had any grievances, she could just go directly to him instead of taking it out on an outsider like her.

"I've heard about your dry needling skills. They're quite impressive." Karen did not care if Luca responded, she just went straight to the point of what she wanted to discuss this time.

Luca was startled for a moment.

How did she know?

Percy could not have told her, so how did Karen know?

Speaking of dry needling, Luca roughly knew what the other party wanted to talk about. She turned around, looked at Karen, and said, "Madam Mallory, I don't know where you heard this from, but I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Stop pretending like you don't understand. I know all about it. You've been treating Old Master Crawford, the Rayne family, and even that person in the hospital with a serious brain injury, who was practically on the verge of being disabled.

"And thanks to your dry needling treatment, he has bounced back... Well, he hasn't exactly recovered, but he's no longer disabled.

"With such impressive dry needling skills, why even bother putting on a show?" Karen listed some examples when Luca refused to admit it.

Luca frowned.

Karen had investigated her!

However, ever since she taught Dr. Wood how to perform dry needling on Tyrone, she had been mentally prepared that her dry needling skills would surely be known by others.

It was inevitable.

While Dr. Wood would help keep things confidential, the more people who witnessed it, the more likely the news would be leaked out.

Luca thought about Karen's purpose in intercepting her and felt a headache. Karen must have come for Pierre.

Karen added, "Forget it. There's no point in hiding it. I already know. This time, I just want to discuss a collaboration with you."

She framed the dry needling treatment for Pierre as a collaboration.

Without much thought, Luca refused, "I'm not interested."

"I haven't even said anything yet, and you're already refusing?" Karen widened her eyes, feeling dissatisfied that Luca was being rude.

"Your youngest son broke his leg and is at risk of disability. You heard about my dry needling skills. So, you must want me to treat him," Luca stated her intention directly.

Karen did not seem surprised. Those who could stand by Luke's side were not fools.

Luca was smart and capable.

"Yes, name your price. As long as you agree to treat Pierre with your dry needling techniques, I can agree to any conditions you have!" said Karen. She thought Luca was attracted to money, especially since she had a relationship with Luke.

Hence, she believed that as long as the money was enough, this matter could be resolved.

Even if Luca asked for more money, she would agree. Her own matters were already settled, and what mattered the most now was treating Pierre's leg.

Luca came back to her senses and looked at Karen with a smile that did not quite reach her eyes. "Considering how much you value Pierre's leg, how much are you willing to offer?”

"How much do you want?" Karen felt uneasy when she saw the smile on Luca's face.

She did not think Luca's smile was from her attraction to her offer.

"Everything that belongs to the Mallory family. Can you afford that?" asked Luca.

Karen was shocked, "Luca, are you serious? Everything that belongs to the Mallory family? Can you handle that?"

"Even if I can handle it, you can't. Either way, you won't be able to meet my requirements. So what's the point of discussing it? Madam Mallory, I suggest you don't dwell on it too much.

"Just let Pierre cooperate with the hospital's treatment," replied Luca. Then, she turned around.

She did not want the Mallory family's wealth.

If Pierre had not done those things before, she might have considered helping for Percy's sake.

However, Pierre had done too much wrong, and he had not received enough punishment. She would not help treat his leg.

If Pierre were smart enough, he might be able to contact Abel.

Still, if he did manage to contact Abel, it would be a gain for them.

"Luca, how dare you refuse me? Aren't you afraid I'll forcibly demand it from you?" Karen suppressed her anger. Her hands clenched into fists. Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

She wanted to give Luca a punch now.

Ever since Silas’ incident, it was like Karen had opened the door to violence and wanted to solve everything with it.

However, she realized Luca was not like Nina. She was not easy to deal with.

Luca raised an eyebrow as she stood behind the restroom door. She replied, "Do you dare? Even if you tie me up and force me to treat Pierre with dry needling against my will, aren't you afraid I'll intentionally misplace the needles and ruin the leg that could still be saved?"

"How dare you?!" Karen was shocked, but she had doubts in her mind. Could misplacing a needle really have such serious consequences?

Nevertheless, the nurse had also mentioned that Luca's dry needling techniques were different from traditional methods, so her words might be true...

"No one can force me to do something I don't want to do. If you force me to do something, you'll have to bear the consequences. I'm unwilling to treat Pierre with my dry needling techniques.

"If you dare to tie me up and force me, I might destroy the remaining nerves in his leg." After Luca said that, she opened the restroom door.

When she saw the sign, she could not help but let out a cold laugh.

No wonder no one came in. It turned out Madam Mallory had placed this sign at the restroom door.

She did not expect Karen, who was usually arrogant and proud, to do such a thing.

Luca left without looking back. At the same time, she thought about what Karen was willing to do for Pierre.

What about Pierre?

She did not think Pierre was someone who would respect Karen.

That man did not know what respect was at all!

Luca returned to the private room.

She thought Luke would ask her something after she left for so long, but he did not say anything when she walked in. He just nodded at her and continued discussing cooperation matters with Percy.

Nina waved at her. "Luca, here. I found a pretty decoration just now. Take a look. I'll buy it and put it in the bedroom if you think it's nice too. It’ll probably look good."

Luca walked toward her and sat down. She looked at the flowers Nina showed her, nodded, and said, "Not bad. Go ahead and purchase it.”